CFL Bulbs Impair Vision

But some groups are against the general transition from incandescent to CFL bulbs now in place in many parts of the world. The European Union has recently enacted a ban on regular incandescent to be put into effect by 2016, however the type and quality of light produced by CFL bulbs does different from regular bulbs. Not only do the bulbs come on slower, but they give a softer, less contrasting light, which many groups representing the visually impaired say can put people in harm’s way.
Those with poor eyesight find CLF bulbs to be a harder light to distinguish objects with, and if the 2016 EU ban is put fully into place, this could cause a real health crisis for many individuals.

This is not the first instance of the environmentalists coming into clash with humanitarian groups, as seen with the ethanol debate, and it will certainly not be the last. So what is the right thing to do? The difference made in CO2 emissions thanks to the switch to CFL is no small feat, and marks the beginning of smarter consumerism all around, but on the other hand nations cannot willingly consent to endangering a portion of their citizens in the process. 

In the UK, where the bulb change is expected to happen by 2012, a spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said they had considered the danger and will be allowing halogen lamps, a type of incandescent with higher efficiency and longer life, to remain on the market.
But does this settle the argument? The switch to CFL, while good for environment, may have to be a switch of choice rather than necessity for some individuals.